They each come from non-traditional college football programs. Indiana University has long been a college basketball blueblood, while Vanderbilt University is the only Division I program that does not have an actual functioning athletic department. With only six menâs collegiate sports, during this century Vandyâs only athletic success has come in baseball.
Yet here we are, at the end of October, with Indianaâs Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbiltâs Diego Pavia as two of the leading candidates for the highest individual honor in College Football, the Heisman Trophy.
The race is far from over of course, and right now there are no shortage of qualified candidates according to Fox. But to call this an unusual season would be an understatement.
Arch Manning Was Anointed. Then He Wasnât
Going into the season, it was Texas quarterback Arch Manningâs trophy to lose. And he did, in week one. Ohio State shut Manning and the Longhorns down, and Archâs candidacy crashed.
That opened the door for pretty much everyone else, including the two guys from non-traditional football powers. Mendoza, who transferred to Indiana from Cal, and Pavia, who arrived in Nashville after two seasons at New Mexico State, are the party crashers among the more traditional candidates from power programs. Those include quarterbacks Ty Simpson from Alabama, Gunner Stockton from Georgia and Marcel Reed from Texas A&M. Most college football observers believed before the season that the actual best football player out there was Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith has had a sensational season so far (49 receptions, 602 yards and seven TDâs) but itâs the Buckeyeâs quarterback, Julian Sayin, whoâs getting the Heisman hype in Columbus.
The only thing that appears certain is that a quarterback will win the award for the 20th time in the last 25 seasons.
Heisman Typically Goes to the Player with the Best Stats
Putting up glittering statistics are the best way for a Heisman candidate to get noticed of course. Simpsonâs numbers thus far are spectacular: 2,184 yards, 20 touchdowns and just one interception. For Stockton, itâs 1,553 yards, 10 TDâs and one INT. Reed, a dual threat for the Aggies, has 1,992 passing yards with 17 TDâs and six picks, plus 349 rushing yards and six more TDâs. Sayin has put up 1,872 passing yards, with 19 TDâs and three INTâs.
Impressive numbers to be sure.
Mendoza can match those stats, and was the leader at the halfway point, according to Fox analyst Joel Klatt. At the end of October heâs got 1,923 passing yards, with 24 TDâs and just three picks.
Pavia is the classic dual threat, with 1,628 passing yards to date, and 15 TDâs with five picks. Heâs also rushed for 458 yards and five more touchdowns.
What Will it Take for Either or Mendoza or Pavia to Win the Heisman?
If either of the interlopers are to crash the party in New York City in December, it will be largely due to unprecedented team success. While the Heisman isnât an âMVPâ award in the true sense, succeeding at schools that donât previously have a history of football success by leading either or both programs into the College Football Playoff could push either Mendoza or Pavia â or both â to the top of the Heisman voter lists.
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